Inanimate objects such as fruit, flowers, food and everyday items are painted as the main focus of interest in still lifes. The term derives from the Dutch 'stilleven', which became current from about 1650 as a collective name for this type of subject matter. Still life painting - later called 'natures mortes' was particularly popular in the Netherlands during the 17th century and was often associated with material decay and the futility of worldly life. Still lifes with this interpretation are known as 'Vanitas' or 'Memento Mori'. Though losing most of this symbolism still life has remained a popular subject with artists to this day.
(http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/still-life)
Evert Collier 1705
Pablo Picasso 1939
Audrey Flack 1977
Alternative words and phrases:
Inanimate - not alive
derives - comes from
collective - group
'natures mortes' - "dead natural things" (French)
the Netherlands - Holland
17th century - 1600s when England was ruled by Elizabeth I (last of the Tudors); James I, Charles I and Charles II (House of Stuart).
material decay - things that are rotting
futility of worldly life - pointlessness of life on earth compared to the after-life in Heaven (or Hell)
interpretation - possible meaning
symbolism - extra meaning
Still Life
Inanimate objects such as fruit, flowers, food and everyday items are painted as the main focus of interest in still lifes. The term derives from the Dutch 'stilleven', which became current from about 1650 as a collective name for this type of subject matter. Still life painting - later called 'natures mortes' was particularly popular in the Netherlands during the 17th century and was often associated with material decay and the futility of worldly life. Still lifes with this interpretation are known as 'Vanitas' or 'Memento Mori'. Though losing most of this symbolism still life has remained a popular subject with artists to this day.(http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/still-life)
Alternative words and phrases:
Inanimate - not alive
derives - comes from
collective - group
'natures mortes' - "dead natural things" (French)
the Netherlands - Holland
17th century - 1600s when England was ruled by Elizabeth I (last of the Tudors); James I, Charles I and Charles II (House of Stuart).
material decay - things that are rotting
futility of worldly life - pointlessness of life on earth compared to the after-life in Heaven (or Hell)
interpretation - possible meaning
symbolism - extra meaning